Letters to the Editor 02-07-2000
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Fire Thanks - Valley Coach - Moody Surgery - Thanks To Dekko
Fire Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On Thursday Jan. 27 we had the unfortunate event of a nasty chimney fire. When my son came running into the office to tell me of it I thought this shouldn't be a big deal. When I got to the house it looked like Dalton Foundry smoke stack. When the attic began to fill up with smoke I knew it was time to call for help! As the trucks & men of the Pierceton Fire Department began to roll in along with our local EMS it was a very comforting sight.
Preparing for the worst, North Webster Fire Dept. brought a load of water & was ready. Attempts were made to get up on the roof to put out the fire, but because of the steep ice-coated steel roof no one could get a hose to the chimney. Warsaw Fire Dept. responded with their ladder truck and with hose in position the fire was quickly doused. By this time, though, the chimney was so hot in places you couldn't touch it.
I want to tell each one who came how much my family & I appreciate your dedication & time serving our community.
There was one special thing that I noticed at this fire that brings me to the point of this letter. From the Pierceton responders there were three generations represented with the Barker family: Harold, his son, Tom, and grandson Rob. I couldn't help but notice as Harold arrived on the scene that he took his place alongside the big red engine to man the controls. The young man standing alongside the truck quietly stepped back to let Harold take over, and he stayed faithfully by his post for next 2 hours or so. Later Harold came into the house to fill out the report form, his hands red & numb from the cold confessed that he hadn't dressed warm enough to be out in 13 degree weather. As I recalled in memory the six years that I served in the department and when I was younger it seemed Harold was always there doing what he could to be of service to the community. With his son & grandson I want to thank the Barker Family for the endless hours of service to our community.
Harold thanks for showing us how it's done, and lead on!
Frank Rhoades
via e-mail
Valley Coach
Editor, Times-Union:I'm writing in regards to the Jan. 18 article about the Tippecanoe Valley Baseball Coach. In this article, there were thing said about Duane Burkhart that I found to be extremely rude and untrue.
As a former basketball player for Coach Burkhart, I know first hand the kind of person and coach he is. As a coach, he always gave equal opportunities to every player on the team. Regardless of whether the person was a freshman or senior, if they worked hard in practice everyday giving 100 percent, they had the opportunity to prove themself in the games.
As a teacher and friend, his door was always open if you needed to talk. In closing, Coach Burkhart represents friendship, hard work, dedication and discipline. These are characteristics that describe a great person and, furthermore, an excellent coach.
Mindy Metzger
Warsaw
Moody Surgery
Editor, Times-Union:I am among a small group of people who would like to commend Scott Moody; his fiancee, Lynn Smith; and his mother, Sharon Evans, on their amazing strength and unsung courage during the months leading up to young Alex Moody's surgery. Throughout these tumultuous times, all have displayed super-human strength cleverly disguised behind masks of a humble and gracious nature.
Lynn, what an amazing woman you must be to step into a situation such as this. A lesser woman would've seen the danger signs and gone running the other way. Instead, you've offered your faith, your love and your life to Scott and his family in a time where faith and love are the best cures for all things that ail the heart. How lucky Scott and Alex both are to have you.
Sharon, to see your son and your granddaughter both going through so much emotional and physical pain must be a double heartache for you. Yet you remain a pillar of strength and encouragement for Scott and a fun-loving ray of sunshine for Alex. Anyone who's ever seen you and Alex together comments on how you two adore each other. She truly is a "grandma's girl." And "grandma" is truly an inspiration to us all.
Scott, in my heart, I believe that if Alex is God's test for you, you have passed with flying colors. With all you've been through in your life, especially these last few years, you have every right to be an angry and bitter man. But you're not. I'm always in awe of your humble nature and genuine gratitude for all that you have been given. You take nothing for granted, cherishing everything that you have. You give and give without asking for anything in return. No words can describe how lucky Alex is to have a father like you. The strength that flows through your veins flows through hers.
Lynn, Sharon and Scott, you are truly unsung heroes. Alex isn't the only one lucky enough to have you. We all are!
Chas Sloderbeck
Rita Jackson
Lisa Johnson
Pat Burton
Warsaw
Thanks To Dekko
Editor, Times-Union:The Claypool Fire Dept. would like to thank Dekko Heating Technologies and the Dekko Foundation for supporting and making it possible to purchase some needed communication equipment. Their support made it possible to purchase intercom systems for our Engine 301 and Grass Rig 306, making the operation of the equipment safer for the firefighters.
Duane R. Allen
Claypool Fire Chief
via e-mail
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- Fire Thanks - Valley Coach - Moody Surgery - Thanks To Dekko
Fire Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:On Thursday Jan. 27 we had the unfortunate event of a nasty chimney fire. When my son came running into the office to tell me of it I thought this shouldn't be a big deal. When I got to the house it looked like Dalton Foundry smoke stack. When the attic began to fill up with smoke I knew it was time to call for help! As the trucks & men of the Pierceton Fire Department began to roll in along with our local EMS it was a very comforting sight.
Preparing for the worst, North Webster Fire Dept. brought a load of water & was ready. Attempts were made to get up on the roof to put out the fire, but because of the steep ice-coated steel roof no one could get a hose to the chimney. Warsaw Fire Dept. responded with their ladder truck and with hose in position the fire was quickly doused. By this time, though, the chimney was so hot in places you couldn't touch it.
I want to tell each one who came how much my family & I appreciate your dedication & time serving our community.
There was one special thing that I noticed at this fire that brings me to the point of this letter. From the Pierceton responders there were three generations represented with the Barker family: Harold, his son, Tom, and grandson Rob. I couldn't help but notice as Harold arrived on the scene that he took his place alongside the big red engine to man the controls. The young man standing alongside the truck quietly stepped back to let Harold take over, and he stayed faithfully by his post for next 2 hours or so. Later Harold came into the house to fill out the report form, his hands red & numb from the cold confessed that he hadn't dressed warm enough to be out in 13 degree weather. As I recalled in memory the six years that I served in the department and when I was younger it seemed Harold was always there doing what he could to be of service to the community. With his son & grandson I want to thank the Barker Family for the endless hours of service to our community.
Harold thanks for showing us how it's done, and lead on!
Frank Rhoades
via e-mail
Valley Coach
Editor, Times-Union:I'm writing in regards to the Jan. 18 article about the Tippecanoe Valley Baseball Coach. In this article, there were thing said about Duane Burkhart that I found to be extremely rude and untrue.
As a former basketball player for Coach Burkhart, I know first hand the kind of person and coach he is. As a coach, he always gave equal opportunities to every player on the team. Regardless of whether the person was a freshman or senior, if they worked hard in practice everyday giving 100 percent, they had the opportunity to prove themself in the games.
As a teacher and friend, his door was always open if you needed to talk. In closing, Coach Burkhart represents friendship, hard work, dedication and discipline. These are characteristics that describe a great person and, furthermore, an excellent coach.
Mindy Metzger
Warsaw
Moody Surgery
Editor, Times-Union:I am among a small group of people who would like to commend Scott Moody; his fiancee, Lynn Smith; and his mother, Sharon Evans, on their amazing strength and unsung courage during the months leading up to young Alex Moody's surgery. Throughout these tumultuous times, all have displayed super-human strength cleverly disguised behind masks of a humble and gracious nature.
Lynn, what an amazing woman you must be to step into a situation such as this. A lesser woman would've seen the danger signs and gone running the other way. Instead, you've offered your faith, your love and your life to Scott and his family in a time where faith and love are the best cures for all things that ail the heart. How lucky Scott and Alex both are to have you.
Sharon, to see your son and your granddaughter both going through so much emotional and physical pain must be a double heartache for you. Yet you remain a pillar of strength and encouragement for Scott and a fun-loving ray of sunshine for Alex. Anyone who's ever seen you and Alex together comments on how you two adore each other. She truly is a "grandma's girl." And "grandma" is truly an inspiration to us all.
Scott, in my heart, I believe that if Alex is God's test for you, you have passed with flying colors. With all you've been through in your life, especially these last few years, you have every right to be an angry and bitter man. But you're not. I'm always in awe of your humble nature and genuine gratitude for all that you have been given. You take nothing for granted, cherishing everything that you have. You give and give without asking for anything in return. No words can describe how lucky Alex is to have a father like you. The strength that flows through your veins flows through hers.
Lynn, Sharon and Scott, you are truly unsung heroes. Alex isn't the only one lucky enough to have you. We all are!
Chas Sloderbeck
Rita Jackson
Lisa Johnson
Pat Burton
Warsaw
Thanks To Dekko
Editor, Times-Union:The Claypool Fire Dept. would like to thank Dekko Heating Technologies and the Dekko Foundation for supporting and making it possible to purchase some needed communication equipment. Their support made it possible to purchase intercom systems for our Engine 301 and Grass Rig 306, making the operation of the equipment safer for the firefighters.
Duane R. Allen
Claypool Fire Chief
via e-mail
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